How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Office of Vital Records (state level - St. Paul) / County Vital Records Office (county level - fastest for local records)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine who can request: Minnesota birth records have a "tangible interest" requirement. Eligible: the person named, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, legal guardian/representative, and others who can demonstrate a personal or property right in the record. Most birth and death records in Minnesota are public data, but certified certificates (for legal use) require proof of tangible interest.
Choose your method:
IN PERSON (County Vital Records Office - FASTEST): Visit the county vital records office in the county where birth occurred; bring valid photo ID; can receive certificate same day; find county offices at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/birth.html (Directory of County Offices)
BY MAIL OR FAX (State MDH - slower): Complete the MDH birth certificate application; include photocopy of valid photo ID; signature must be notarized for mail orders; check or money order payable to "Minnesota Department of Health"; mail or fax to: MDH Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499; MDH does NOT offer in-person service
ONLINE (VitalChek - expedited): VitalChek (authorized vendor); additional fees
Submit with valid photo ID and proof of tangible interest
Pay the fee

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed birth certificate application
Valid government-issued photo ID (may need notarization for mail orders to MDH)
Proof of tangible interest if not immediately obvious from request
Payment: check or money order for mail; card for county in-person or VitalChek

Fee

Check MDH's current fee schedule at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/birthnc.html (fees vary by service type and method); fees are nonrefundable even if record not found; county fees may vary slightly from state fees

Processing Time

County in-person: immediate (same day); MDH mail/fax: days to weeks (check current processing times at MDH website); VitalChek: expedited

Online Option

Yes - VitalChek (authorized vendor); MDH does NOT have direct online ordering (VitalChek only)

Where to Go

County Vital Records Office (fastest - find at health.state.mn.us directory); MDH Office of Vital Records (mail/fax only), P.O. Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499

County-specific variations apply

Minnesota county vital records offices are the FASTEST option for in-person requests and can process records the same day. Each county handles births occurring in that county. MDH has statewide records from 1900 to present. Records from before 1900 are only at the county where birth occurred. The Minnesota Historical Society also has birth records 1900-1934 for genealogical research.

Minnesota Notes

Important state-specific details

COUNTY VITAL RECORDS OFFICE is the fastest option - use it for in-person requests.
MDH does NOT offer in-person service - county offices fill this need.
Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) Gale Family Library: free genealogical access to birth records 1900-1934 and death records 1904-2001.
Free birth certificates available for homeless youth 24 and under born in Minnesota - contact MDH or any county vital records office.
Free certificates available for VA benefit claims.
Marriage records: NOT held by MDH - contact the county Court Administrator where the license was issued.
Divorce records: NOT held by MDH - contact the county district court where divorce was granted or search Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Minnesota MDH Office of Vital Records - health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords | (651) 201-5970 | [email protected] | P.O. Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499